Gap in Front Bumper - any reliable fix?

If someone ever has their bumper off and posts pics of the corner mounting points... maybe we could crowdsource a solution here.

 

Plenty have removed their front bumper cover to replace the valance, hopefully one of those might snap a few photos. I'm mostly interested in a nice closeup photo of what the back of the bumper cover looks like at that corner below the headlight. And, of course, the area with the clip on the body it mounts to under the headlight.

There are several YT videos documenting removing the bumper cover, but none of them show the back side of the cover once it's removed.

 

Just to document it, I am having this on the drivers side. I just noticed it a couple days ago, thought it was odd, gave it a whack and popped it back in. Thought about how it could have happened for about 3 minutes and forgot about it.

Then I stumbled onto this thread yesterday and just went out to recheck it and sure enough its popped out again. Guess I'll be following this thread.

 

Here's a couple of photos from Ebay selling used bumpers, showing the offending spot (passenger side):

 

Yes “they” do

https://metaltech4x4.com/metal-tech-5th-gen-4runner-2014-2019-fortress-front-bumper/

 

Well, there you go. For a mere $2,850.00 and an additional 114+ lbs.you can eliminate the protruding bumper cover corner. IF you have a 2019 or older 5th gen.

 

Caulk...... lol

 

I forgot I had this file. I believe I pulled it from a thread on this forum.

 

This "fix" has been tried by several members, with mixed results. Mostly no permanent fix.

Their "dual-lock fasteners" are strips of velcro.

 

I think if there was a way to epoxy an industrial strength magnet to the bumper cover and a metal plate to the bracket, or vice versa, that might just do the trick, at least in my case.

I purchased one of those screwdriver type doodads for removing the oil drain plug from the side, with a magnetic end for holding the plug - that magnet is impressive. You really have to yank on the plug once it's out to free it from the tool.

 

Loosen the top most 10mm bolt on the attachment moulding, the black piece that grabs the clips on the bumper corner. I have found that with that bolt tightened all the way it pulled that piece to far into the truck to allow the bumper cover clips to grab.

Then run a piece of gorilla double sided tap in the area.

In addition, those two perpendicular clips that grab the bumper become very pliable and lose rigidity.

I never had issues with the factory bumper cover, even after removing it several times to do certain things. I then hit a turkey and the genuine replacement never fit right. I tried the Toyota TSB fix and several other ways, nothing worked.

 

Would you happen to have any photos of the area you're describing (bolded above)? I'm having a hard time envisioning where this is...

 

Thread revival. Any luck finding a way to stiffen that portion of the bumper cover or find another solution?

 

i cut some plastic shims and put behind the bumper bracket to tighten the grip on the bumper corners just pry a gap with a knife blade and slide 1 or two shims right at th corner bumper lock area

 

Reading this on a small tablet, so it's hard to really see what you're describing, but later on a pc maybe I can see the photos better. I can't quite see how this helps, but am really interested whether this will work for my passenger side bumper corner under the headlight. If so, you are a genius...

Do the plastic shims push the bracket forward a bit, and that helps grab the cover better? Also, do you have before and after photos of the driver's side you were working on in the first 5 photos?

What year is your 4R may I ask? Sorry for all the questions, but I get excited every time this thread reappears, hoping someone has finally found a real fix for this...

Edit: I think I get it now after looking at the photos on a bigger screen. Tell me if this is the idea - you put shims on the right side of that bracket circled in yellow below, which closed up the clip a bit, and that gave it more 'bite' to hold in that part of the bumper cover...

 

yes thats right and also i put a small washer in between the bumper cover bracket and the bumper cover to pull the cover back a tiny bit to add pressure at the gap.right where the phillips screw goes. it pulls rearword on the cover.trying to creat a better bite on the cover i had to put two washer on one sid cause it was so bad dont have any before pics

 

hers wher to put washers

 

it is a 2018

 

Omg this is me too!! I thought I was crazy every now and then when stepping out and seeing tbe slight misalignment and wham! That sucker back into place lol

 

Thanks for the confirmation of the shim idea and the washers tip. I don't get where those go, though, or the reason for them, sorry.

 

Well, I've joined this club.
2023 Limited. 23, 000 miles.
Minor fender bender in January. Totally not my fault, and their insurance paid for everything, including my rental and deductible.
A week after I picked it up from the body shop, a work buddy mentioned the gap. I whacked them (both sides) drove 21 miles home, and they were popped out again. The body shop looked into it and gave me the TSB, which only covers 2014 to 2020.
I don't like the fix (industrial velcro like on an EZ Pass).
Pissed about the whole thing......

 

Got any 'after' photos? Was it fixed with Toyota parts?